Underhill -- Impact rookie: Breaking down Michael Thomas' production after first leg with Saints (1 Viewer)

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Impact rookie: Breaking down Michael Thomas' production after first leg with Saints

By Nick Underhill -- Advocate



Michael Thomas leads all rookie receivers in receptions, is tied for the lead in touchdowns and is third in receiving yards.

His current trajectory would put him just shy of finishing with 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, which, by any standard, would be a strong season for a rookie wide receiver. And yet the Saints see a player who could be playing even better.

They see a player who could improve on his splits, how he releases off the line, the way he details his routes and his general technique. Those improvements have come, sometimes at a rapid pace, but once he cleans everything up, Thomas should be even more productive on Sundays.

That's a good spot for the second-round pick to be in and speaks to how much potential the team sees in him.

“Some of these guys when they come college they got bad habits and stuff,” Saints wide receivers coach John Morton said. “He’s been working on that. He gets better at something every week. If I said he had to work on just one thing, it’s not really just one thing. It’s a few things.”

MORE -- Advocate
 
What he did on the back shoulder fade route to convert the TD on 4th down in the 4th quarter.... that was textbook. Thomas has big time hands, his technique is already pro level, and once he gets the ball in his hands you can see he is hunting for every yard possible. This is what a home run draft pick looks like. Enjoy the Brees/Thomas connection while its here.
 
Offense should revolve around him and a big time RB by his 3rd year
 
People forget how young Cooks is. He'll only be 26 around this time.

He'll continue to develop but he is what he is going into his 4th year. No shade but how many clutch plays has he made? Thomas is already proving to be the go to guy in this offense and that's with Cooks n Snead.

His Targets have gone up after each game and his role has continued to expand. No gadget plays just throw him the ball any situation and watch him make the play
 
EJW - Does he have enough speed to be a long ball threat? thx

Being a longball threat doesn't require true speed. Rarely do WRs reach max speed with a CB on them due to the Jockeying of position and body contact. Allen Robinson wins on deep balls a good deal and he ran in the 4.6range at the combine.

It helps but it's not the end all be all if he's not a 4.3 guy.
 
When Thomas solidifies the number 1 spot, that will allow cooks to be more of the deep ball routes that make him more effective. Have to also remember the last couple years Cooks has been our most talented WR and draws the majority of the coverage. Now if Thomas and Snead can truly be good number 1 and 3 then all of a sudden the WR corps looks pretty sweet with Coleman at 4


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I'll admit I did not know much about MT as I truly hate tOSU (Michigan is one of my favorite teams), but I am glad we picked this kid and I do think he will be another Colston.
 
If the offense is shifting to more West Coast principles guys like Thomas and Snead offer more value as RAC options. I would not pay a top WR contract to cooks after his rookie deal is up.

If this were still the 2009 downfield offense sure..but all indications moving forward are less Air Coryell more WC.
 
He'll continue to develop but he is what he is going into his 4th year. No shade but how many clutch plays has he made? Thomas is already proving to be the go to guy in this offense and that's with Cooks n Snead.

His Targets have gone up after each game and his role has continued to expand. No gadget plays just throw him the ball any situation and watch him make the play

How is Cooks "is what he is" just because he is going into his 4th season. He is still very young with tons of time to improve his game. Was Antonio Brown "is what he is" the first few years of his career or did his game evolve? Same with Steve Smith and many others who possess a similar skill set to Cooks. Being as young as he is going into his 4th year is a huge plus and should only help his game having that much experience at a young age. Doesn't make much sense to count 4 years in the NFL against him because he hasn't taken some huge jump while ignoring his age which is more important.
 
michael thomas is all about yac, he wont ever be a deep threat in the traditional sense

and he seems to have a high football acumen, more than just talent, he is a football player

that is what will separate him from having a decent/good nfl career to having a great nfl career

I expect the latter

He will be our #1 receiver by the end of next season
 
Yet another great article by Underhill.

“He’s just another great playmaker that adds to our offense,” wide receiver Willie Snead said. “Me and (Brandin) Cooks and Mike T, that’s a hell of a combination. He’s getting a lot of single coverage, and he knows how to beat the one-on-one matchups.”

Argue what you will, but...

...the trio of Michael Thomas, Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead IV opens a big door that will be a big headache for opposing defenses. Add Tommie Lee Lewis, and you have a nightmare because it puts them in the dime package. With that, the Saints can pick their spots to run and ball control all game long.

With our improving defense (that is getting healthier), the Saints are off life support, and will be a force to be reckoned with.

:gosaints:
 
I'd appreciate it if they didn't put the words "Michael Thomas, breaking and leg" in the same sentence like that. We've already had enough of those!
 

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